President. –The next item is the debate on seven motions for a resolution on Sudan (2016/2911(RSP)).

Ignazio Corrao, author. – Madam President, the current issue of Sudan is taking on increasingly alarming dimensions, especially with regard to the Darfur region, where government forces have launched about thirty chemical attacks against the civilian population since the beginning of this year. The last two of these took place on 9 September, with dramatic and devastating effects; they have spared no-one.

We must immediately take measures to stop any type of attack. The Sudanese Government must ensure strict respect for human rights and freedoms of its citizens. To make this possible, it is necessary to reinforce the United Nations arms embargo and extend it to include all Sudan – not just the region of Darfur. For this purpose, we urge the Sudanese Government, this Parliament and all stakeholders to act urgently to put an end to these atrocities, allowing the necessary provision of humanitarian assistance.

Pavel Telička, author. – Madam President, ever since February 2003 and well before, we have seen in the Darfur region nothing but violence and ethnic cleansing, all done or conducted by government forces, the secret service and pro-government militia. The United Nations calls this one of the worst humanitarian crises ever, with 2.3 million displaced and 300 000 casualties. The dictatorship in Khartoum is abusing human rights on a daily basis and is preventing aid workers, NGOs, peacekeepers and others access to aid those in need. By the way, I am grateful to my colleagues that they have accepted a proposal to name concretely the aid workers concerned, including one countryman of mine. Moreover, as has been said, Amnesty International has investigated the fact that in the last eight months there has been repeated use of chemical weapons. This Sudanese situation must end. Enough is really enough.

That is why today we call on all stakeholders involved to act quickly and to put an end to this situation. Omar al-Bashir is a war criminal and, if the rest of the world does not want to act, the EU has to move and impose targeted punitive sanctions against those responsible for continued war crimes and non-cooperation with the International Court of Justice.

Julie Ward, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Mr President, how sad it is to be standing here again talking about appalling atrocities being committed in Sudan. The use of gas, cluster bombs and rape as a weapon of war have no place in our world. These are crimes against our common humanity. I would like to pay tribute to all of the brave human rights defenders and activists, and civil society organisations and networks, who risk their lives on the ground in order to let the world know what is happening. We want to stand here in solidarity with you and give you a voice. I am eternally grateful to the British organisation ‘Waging Peace’ with whom I am in regular contact. What we must do as MEPs is to make sure that no EU aid money is funnelled to actors committing these terrible crimes, and also that the EU does not compromise on human rights protections when doing deals on migration in the region, including the Khartoum Agreement. We continue to work to hold the Commission, the EEAS and the Council to account on this, day and night.

James Carver, on behalf of the EFDD Group. – Mr President, Sudan’s partition into two states was supposed to end decades of conflict blighting that country. However, this has unfortunately not proved to be the case with both countries still suffering the acrimony from internal conflict and persisting border disputes.

The international community must do more to support the two countries working with both Sudan and South Sudan, and, of course, the regional institutions, to help resolve the border dispute and improve human rights in terms of security and personal dignity in both countries.

The immediate humanitarian and security situation must be addressed and combined with genuine longer—term solutions. Most pressing is the issue of the removal of punitive tariffs placed on trade. The liberalisation of these rules will not only do far more to support development and the chronic needs and daily lives of people in Sudan, South Sudan, and indeed Africa as a whole, but will also help our own citizens through cheaper food and freeing up money which would otherwise go on foreign aid, which is not always ending up where it aims to be sent.

The Horn of Africa is a tragedy, but there are some good parts of it not – not least Somaliland and I, as you know, am a long-time advocate of support of international re-recognition of Somaliland. I do not think that the issue of Sudan and South Sudan needs to be a precursor or a hurdle to the genuine aspirations of people in a different part of the Horn of Africa who have led a far different, and a far more peaceful and dignified, example.

Urmas Paet (ALDE). – Mr President, reports on the use of chemical weapons are extremely disturbing. The use of such weapons must be investigated by the United Nations and perpetrators must be brought to justice. The situation in Darfur, in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, is deplorable. The innocent killings must stop immediately. The UN-African Union mission must be given access to these areas and humanitarian aid made accessible in this humanitarian disaster. President al-Bashir must be arrested, as foreseen by the International Criminal Court. Those States that gladly greet al-Bashir in their countries, despite the fact that he is wanted by the ICC, must keep in mind that they bear part of the responsibility for the atrocities that are going on in Sudan, by greeting al—Bashir and not allowing for his arrest.

Cecilia Malmström,Member of the Commission. – Mr President, this is not the first time we are discussing Sudan in this plenary, and of course we see with very much concern that the human rights situation in Sudan has shown no sign of improvement and is, in fact, deteriorating. Serious human rights violations have been perpetrated by state actors, government—supported militia and rebel forces in impunity. These happened with serious disregard for Sudan’s interim constitutions of 2005, international commitments or recommendations presented by the Human Rights Council.

International and local civil society organisations in Sudan face severe obstructions in their work, in particular those working on human rights issues and in conflict-affected areas. One of these organisations is the one you referred to, TRACKs, a human rights organisation which provides and facilitates training on a variety of topics, ranging from human rights to information technology. Currently ten members or affiliates of the TRACKs staff, including its Director, Khalafalla Alafif Mukhtar, who has been in detention since May, are facing trial in two separate cases under Sudan’s criminal court and these carry – as you also mentioned – the death penalty.

The EU considers that the repeated official raids and summoning of staff on judicial charges are in violation of freedom of expression and association and appear to be a clear attempt to intimidate the members of the organisations due to their work on human rights or democratisation. Accordingly, we have closely followed developments on the TRACKs case and we have observed several court sessions. It is coordinating with the different EU Member States and other Western embassies on the ground to ensure a continuous international presence throughout the trials on a rotation basis. This case is, of course, also continuously raised in meetings with Sudanese officials.

Overall, promoting a conducive environment for civil society and the protection of human right defenders are key issues in EU relations with Sudan. We have the EU country map for engagement of civil society and the human rights and democracy strategy for Sudan. However, UN agencies and humanitarian partners keep being denied access to so many areas in Darfur, in South Kordofan and Blue Nile by government authorities, preventing the delivery of assistance which is so needed to the vulnerable population. We have, in the EU, been at the forefront of calling for a speedy agreement on cessation of hostilities, humanitarian taxes and an inclusive, comprehensive and transparent national dialogue process in a conducive environment.

Efforts towards peace and human rights remain a priority for the EU. The EU, in particular through our Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Mr Alexander Rondos, supports efforts towards a holistic and inclusive political solution. Political and financial support was provided to the mediation efforts led by President Mbeki, in the framework of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel for Sudan and South Sudan. We consider that the gravity of the human rights situation requires continued attention from the UNHCR and therefore we have supported the extension of the mandate of the independent experts on Sudan, while pushing strongly for his full access to all areas of the country.

Our commitments to enhance cooperation with African countries on migration is firmly anchored within international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and EU assistance to Sudan is delivered at bilateral and regional levels through international organisations and NGOs, not through that Sudanese Government. No support has ever been given to the rapid support forces, and we are aware of the specific situation of the Christian minorities and are looking into that. There have recently been some arrests of pastors and we are following those cases on the ground as well. The EU will continue to call for the government to respect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and the media, to release the detainees and to give them an opportunity for fair trial and to conduct credible investigations into human rights violations that led to killing, injuries and material damage. I am sure this is not going to be the last time we discuss the terrible situation in Sudan.